INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW ✦

In February of this year, Jennifer Lopez and Prime Video dropped the ambitious musical film titled This Is Me…Now: A Love Story, very loosely based on her personal experiences with romance — specifically crafted to align with the releases of her ninth (yes, ninth) studio album, This Is Me... Now.

The film, a costly production funded by Lopez, enlisted an expansive cast to bring the performer’s bold story to life, with names including Ben Affleck, Sofía Vergara, Post Malone, Jane Fonda, and Keke Palmer. During the colorful, star-studded journey with a whimsical influence, viewers are also graciously given the opportunity to discover thriving new stars including the multi-talented performer Brandon Delsid (‘The Lover’) whose promising career as an actor is just getting started.

Now, after working with several established actors and earning roles on projects like NBC’s New Amsterdam and Prime Video’s The Date Whisperer, Delsid is breaking down his passion for the arts — along with his very relatable love for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Congratulations on the release of This Is Me…Now: A Love Story! What an exciting, ambitious project to be a part of! What was your first reaction upon learning that you were cast?

Brandon Delsid: Oh my goodness – it was WILD! I’ll never forget when I got the call. My agent rang me at like 9 pm – which I knew was either really bad news or really good news. I sat down on the ground and gave myself a huge hug. This was a dream twenty years in the making. My boyfriend, Grant, was amazing and ran out and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the store and we sat on the floor in our living room in disbelief and popped it. I found out I started shooting in 5 days, and then realized it was time for a facial!

Obviously, getting to work with a massive industry icon like Jennifer Lopez would be a huge career moment for anyone – so I can imagine that it also came with a little bit of pressure considering the project is also tethered to her own life experiences. What was that unique collaborative process like?

Brandon Delsid: It definitely came with a fair amount of anticipation and nerves, but I’d like to think I’ve been prepping for this ever since I played Popeye in Popeye The Musical at 9 years old — I wish that was a joke, but it really happened. Shooting this film was such an epic undertaking, though! We knew it was going to be something that would breathe life into the future of what a modern musical could be. I was blown away by the team Jennifer assembled; a cast with the likes of Sofia Vergara, Keke Palmer, and Jane Fonda, just to name a few. She had such a clear vision for this project, but it was so artistic in the way that she gave us room to improvise and adlib with her. She wanted us to play and create like we were all kids in the sandbox again. A lot of that stuff made it into the film!

Looking back at the production process, what would you say was your favorite memory from the set?

Brandon Delsid: The final wedding scene in the film was probably one of my favorite days. It was our final day of shooting, so there were a lot of emotions involved. We were all glammed up in sort of a fabulous bohemian wedding style. I’ll never forget my pink boa! To have that full circle moment all together at the end of the film was really beautiful. It sort of highlighted to me the true meaning of the film: that we must find a way to give ourselves radical self-love every single day. I love that Jennifer learns, ultimately, that she doesn’t need a man. She has her friends, her life, and herself. That was a cool day.

In a musical film of this nature, there can be a lot of technical attributes to consider. That being said, was there a specific scene or sequence from the film that particularly challenged you as an actor?

Brandon Delsid: We shot one day at this massive, breathtaking estate in Pasadena. It was a Marvel movie scale set that really was jaw-dropping. It looked more like an airport than a house. In this particular scene, it was actually raining in real life. This gorgeous dance number took place there that I think will live on in musical theater history: beautiful dancers prancing through the gardens with water falling down like diamonds. The rain was meant to sort of be an omen that this first guy wasn’t the one. I’d never shot in the rain like that, and it was thrilling; although, a little challenging to make sure the makeup and hairspray didn’t run. I didn’t want to completely melt away or step in too many puddles!

You’ve recently had roles in titles like NBC’s New Amsterdam, or Amazon’s The Date Whisperer, so as of now, you’ve been able to tackle a few different genre-driven projects. Is there a genre that you’d like to explore that you haven’t yet?

Brandon Delsid: I’d love to do a really cutting-edge, modern horror film. Something with a message. I think horror has a camp aspect to it that can be really fun and over the top! It can catch people’s attention in a unique way. I’d love to do an iconic film that sort of stands the test of time. Some of my favorite films are the Scream and Halloween franchises. I also think that the LGBTQIA community has always had a love for scary films, so it could be right up my alley. Maybe something that really highlights the LGBTQIA struggle but through a horror film? I’m manifesting away with you on this! So much spooky potential!

If you were going to manifest a possible dream role in your future, what would that story, or character potentially look like?

Brandon Delsid: Ahhhhh! I love all the manifesting we’re doing together. Let’s make vision boards? I think I’d love to play a great television role. Something in the vein of Modern Family meets Will and Grace… but maybe with magic or witches or something? I have a couple ideas. I definitely want a character that I could grow with and play for a long time. I love seeing actors take on roles and how time affects the characters' growth, when they really get to marinate in a role and give it everything they’ve got. I see something like that coming.

You’ve also shared your love for the Real Housewives franchise, and we’re right there with you honestly. What’s your favorite city – and as a follow-up question, who do you think is the all-time MVP housewife?

Brandon Delsid: GOODBYE KYLE. I have to start with Kyle Richards being the MVP. She is the true definition of a real housewife while also being an actress, mother, and friend. No one has done it better than her, though many have tried. I got to meet her recently at Elton John’s Oscar Party and I wanted to be her new best friend. Beverly Hills to me is still top tier. They haven’t had a sleeper season, aside from Season 8. I could watch Housewives on a loop for hours! Sometimes my friends and I pretend we’re housewives ourselves filming and doing confessionals live in real time.